The Lord's Way

“There is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment. . . . We must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord’s way.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Merciful Obtain Mercy,” Ensign, May 2012, 76-77. 

Neglecting Scripture Study

 “I believe that neglecting to study the scriptures on a regular basis is a form of hardening our hearts. I fear that if we persist in that course, we will be given a lesser portion of the word and eventually know nothing of God’s mysteries. Drinking daily from the scriptures, on the other hand, will help us build spiritual strength and knowledge, unmask the deceptions of the devil, and discover the snares he has laid to catch us.

“Ask yourselves the following questions, I invite you to allow the Holy Ghost to speak to your mind and heart:

·         Do I take time to study the scriptures every day?

·         If not, what excuse do I have for not doing so?

·         Will my excuse be acceptable to the Lord?

“ I challenge you to commit to reading the scriptures daily. Do not go to bed tonight until you have read. As you read, there will come to you a greater desire to do the will of the Lord and to make changes in your life.”

Elder Michael John U. Teh, “The Power of the Word of God,” Ensign, Mar 2013, 53. 

Christ Changes Human Nature

 “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.”

Ezra Taft Benson, “Born of God,” Ensign, Oct. 1985, 6. 

Traditions

 “The Lord has not been so explicit in providing us religious customs along the order of feasts and festivals to remind us of the blessings we receive from Him today. However, the practice of having traditions to keep us close to the great heritage which is ours to enjoy should be something every family should try to keep alive.”

“Family Traditions,” Ensign, May 1990, 20. 

How Can We Support Others as They Begin to Age?

“A segment of our society desperately yearning for an expression of true love is found among those growing older, and particularly when they suffer from pangs of loneliness. . . . [Elder Richard L. Evans said of the aging:] ‘What they need in the loneliness of their older years is, in part at least, what we needed in the uncertain years of our youth: a sense of belonging, an assurance of being wanted, and the kindly ministrations of loving hearts and hands; not merely dutiful formality, not merely a room in a building, but room in someone’s heart and life. . . .  We cannot bring them back the morning hours of youth. But we can help them live in the warm glow of a sunset made more beautiful by our thoughtfulness, but our provision, and by our active and unfeigned love.’”

Thomas S. Monson, “Gifts,” Ensign, May 1993, 61, 62.

Family History and Youth

 “Family history work, Elder Packer added, will change how the youth make decisions and how they feel about challenges. He said they might think, “If Grandpa did this, I can do it too.”

“He said that a temple president reported that when youth stand proxy in baptism for any name they come out smiling, but “when they do it for an ancestor they have tears in their eyes. They feel something deeper; they feel something more.”

“Church Leaders Discuss the “Hastening of Work,” Apr. 2013, 75.

Prepared Youth

Elder Zwick said the Lord’s words are clear: “I will hasten my work in its time” (D&C 88:73). “The Lord Himself is taking charge here,” he added. “I don’t think there has ever been a generation of youth that has been prepared for the curriculum like [the youth] are today. I don’t think there has ever been a group of youth that has done as many baptisms or more ordinances for the dead . . . [or] that has been as close to temple work and all of the facets of that as this group. And certainly all of that . . . prepares them for missionary service and builds a sure foundation for additional responsibilities in the years following their missions.”

“Church Leaders Discuss the “Hastening of Work,” Apr. 2013, 74. 

Youth "Called To Action"

 “In the midst of changes that require Latter-day Saint teenagers to take a greater role in missionary preparation, family history and temple work, and Sunday instruction, leaders say to the youth of the Church have been “called to action” and asked to “arise and shine forth” (D& C 115:5).

“The changes make one thing obvious: “The Lord has something He wants to do,” said Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy.”

Sarah Jane Weaver, “Church Leaders Discuss the “Hastening of Work,” Apr. 2013, 74. 

Peace Through the Atonement

 “No matter how daunting the challenges in our lives or in the world around us, we know we can have peace through the power of the infinite Atonement because Christ overcame the world. Faith in Jesus Christ and in His Atonement engenders the hope of deliverance and the promise of a better world to come.”

Elder Paul V. Johnson, “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 59.

Peace for the Restless Soul

 “Indifference to the Savior or failure to keep the commandments of God brings about insecurity, inner turmoil, and contention. These are the opposite of peace. Peace can come to an individual only by an unconditional surrender—surrender to him who is the Prince of Peace, who has power to confer peace. One may live in beautiful and peaceful surroundings but, because of inner dissension and discord, be in a state of constant turmoil. On the other hand, one may be in the midst of utter destruction and the bloodshed of war and yet have the serenity of unspeakable peace. If we look to man and the ways of the world, we will find turmoil and confusion. If we will but turn to God, we will find peace for the restless soul.”

The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, ed. Clyde J. Williams (1997), 172. 

Peace is a Gift

 “Peace is a gift. We don’t determine the conditions upon which this gift is given. Our Father in Heaven sets the terms. Sometimes we become so focused on our quest for peace that we forget it is one of the fruits of a righteous life. Out best course for finding peace is to leave righteously—to keep our covenants. This is the only course that leads to that inner peace we all desire. The adversary would tempt us to put all our efforts into directions other than a righteous life in our search for peace, but if we do this we will be disappointed in the end. True peace comes only from the Lord as a result of our righteous lives.”

Elder Paul V. Johnson, “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 56. 

Full Blessings of the Atonement

“We cannot access the full blessings of the Atonement of the Lamb of God without making sacrifices of our own. In fact, in the Lectures on Faith we are taught that “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. . . . It [is] through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life.”

David Rolph Seely and Jo Ann H. Seely, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 49.

Lectures on Faith (1985), 69.

No More Blood Sacrifices

“After the Savior completed His Atoning sacrifice, blood sacrifices were no longer a gospel ordinance. We are now required to offer the Lord “a broken heart and a contrite spirit (3 Nephi 9:20). We are also asked to comply with the principles of sacrifice by obeying the commandments, offering precious gifts of love, time, and service of our Savior. Our sacrifices deepen our worship, acknowledge our debt to God, and express gratitude for our blessings (see Bible Dictionary, “Sacrifices”).”

David Rolph Seely and Jo Ann H. Seely, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 48-49.

Passover and Christ's Crucifixion

 “John also records that the Last Supper occurred the day before Passover; thus the Savior was likely bound and crucified at the same time the Passover lambs were being sacrificed at the temple (see John 13:1). John also recounts that when Pilate ordered the soldiers to break the legs of those being crucified to hasten their deaths, the soldiers instead pierced Jesus’s side to make sure He was dead. Just as the lambs of Israel were sacrificed without breaking any bones, so the Son of God was sacrificed and the scriptures fulfilled: “A bone of him shall not be broken” (John 19:36; see also Psalm 43:20).”

David Rolph Seely and Jo Ann H. Seely, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 48.

Endure to the End

“A commitment to endure to the end means that we will not ask for a release from a call to serve. It means that we will persevere in pursuit of a worthy goal. It means that we will never give up on a loved one who has strayed. And it means that we will always cherish our eternal family relationships, even though difficult days of disease, disability, or death.”

Elder Russell M. Nelson, “The Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 39. 

Integrity Toward Faith

"The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue—it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Lord, I Believe," April 2013 General Conference

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/05/lord-i-believe?lang=eng

Wearing the Mantle Of Charity

“All of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing [his or] her best to deal with the challenges which come [his or] her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Charity Never Falleth,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 125. 

Help One Another As Equal Partners

 “A marriage of equal partners is also one in which the partners help one another in their stewardships, indeed, are “obligated to help one another as equal partners.” This partnership extends to housework and childcare. President Packer has said, “There is no task, however menial, connected with the care of babies, the nurturing of children, or with the maintenance of the home that is not [the husband’s] equal obligation.”

Valerie M. Hudson and Richard B. Miller, “Equal Partnership in Marriage,” Ensign, Apr. 2013, 22.

Boyd K. Packer, “A Tribute to Women,” Ensign, July 1989, 75. 

"Rule Over"

 “Genesis 3:16 states that Adam is to ‘rule over’ Eve, but this doesn’t make Adam a dictator. . . . Over in ‘rule over’ uses the Hebrew bet, which means ruling ‘with,’ not ruling ‘over.’. . . The concept of interdependent, equal partners is well-grounded in the doctrine of the restored gospel. Eve was Adam’s ‘help meet’ (Genesis 2:18). The original Hebrew for meet means that Eve was adequate for, or equal to, Adam. She wasn’t his servant or his subordinate.”

Bruce C. and Marie K. Hafen, “Crossing Thresholds and Becoming Equal Partners,” Ensign, Aug. 2007, 27. 

Man is Not Superior to Woman

 “In some culture, tradition places a man in a role to dominate, control, and regulate all family affairs. That is not the way of the Lord. In some places the wife is almost owned by her husband, as if she were another of his personal possessions. That is a cruel, mistaken vision of marriage encouraged by Lucifer that every priesthood holder must reject. It is founded on the false premise that a man is somehow superior to a woman. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Honor the Priesthood and Use It Well,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 46.